EFFECTS ON STRATOSPHERIC OZONE AND TEMPERATURE DURING MAUNDER MINIMUM

The period of low solar activity between 1645 and 1715, known as the M aunder Minimum, corresponds to a period in which the ultraviolet spect ral irradiance was significantly smaller than found in the current atm osphere [Lean et al., 1995a]. In this study, we use our two-dimensiona l chemical-radiative-transport model of the global atmosphere to exami ne the effect of this reduced solar flux on the distribution of strato spheric ozone and temprature relative to that normally expected for th e pre-industrial atmosphere. A decrease in total global ozone of about 3% was determined for the Maunder Minimum period. Lean et al. [1995b] have examined the implications of the direct solar irradiance effects on climate during that period. The changes in stratospheric ozone may further have influenced the radiative forcing on climate during that period. In addition, such events are lilely to happen again with resul ting decreases in ozone.